The cardinals who might be pope

CaptionCardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson

Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press

Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana is an African prelate seen as a top contender, and at 64 would be better positioned than older candidates to carry on the doctrine of John Paul II and Benedict XVI through what could be a time of growing Catholic influence in the developing world. Currently...

Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana is an African prelate seen as a top contender, and at 64 would be better positioned than older candidates to carry on the doctrine of John Paul II and Benedict XVI through what could be a time of growing Catholic influence in the developing world. Currently... (Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press)

Francis Arinze of Nigeria was considered a strong possibility to succeed Pope John Paul II in 2005 and has emerged again in the speculation over who will follow Benedict XVI. A former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, he served as a key advisor to...

Francis Arinze of Nigeria was considered a strong possibility to succeed Pope John Paul II in 2005 and has emerged again in the speculation over who will follow Benedict XVI. A former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, he served as a key advisor to... (Sia Kambou / AFP/Getty Images)

Odilo Scherer, 63, a Brazilian of German descent, is head of the Vatican Department for Eastern Churches and archbishop of the massive Sao Paolo diocese, the world's largest Catholic congregation. He could be considered the front-runner if the cardinals choose to recognize the strength of Latin...

Odilo Scherer, 63, a Brazilian of German descent, is head of the Vatican Department for Eastern Churches and archbishop of the massive Sao Paolo diocese, the world's largest Catholic congregation. He could be considered the front-runner if the cardinals choose to recognize the strength of Latin... (Fernando Bizerra Jr. / European Pressphoto Agency)

Joao Braz de Aviz, a 65-year-old Brazilian, is another forceful advocate for the poor in Latin America. He is seen as having reinvigorated the Vatican department for religious congregations since his appointment two years ago. A former archbishop of Brasilia, Braz was elevated to cardinal less...

Joao Braz de Aviz, a 65-year-old Brazilian, is another forceful advocate for the poor in Latin America. He is seen as having reinvigorated the Vatican department for religious congregations since his appointment two years ago. A former archbishop of Brasilia, Braz was elevated to cardinal less... (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP/Getty Images)

Marc Ouellet of Canada serves as prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, essentially the Vatican's chief of staff. He is also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Ouellet spent most of his religious career as a professor in Canadian seminaries and was primate of Canada when...

Marc Ouellet of Canada serves as prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, essentially the Vatican's chief of staff. He is also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Ouellet spent most of his religious career as a professor in Canadian seminaries and was primate of Canada when... (Patrick Hertzog / AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign has rekindled debate within the Catholic Church and worldwide speculation about the possibility that the church will reach beyond the European clergy who have long held power in the Vatican to choose the next pope. With an eye to vibrant Catholic...Carol J. Williams / Los Angeles Times